Multiple level programming in a non-volatile memory device

ABSTRACT

The programming method of the present invention minimizes program disturb by initially programming cells on the same word line with the logical state having the highest threshold voltage. The remaining cells on the word line are programmed to their respective logical states in order of decreasing threshold voltage levels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of divisional U.S. application Ser. No. 12/125,147, which was filed on May 22, 2008, which is scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 8,045,392 on Oct. 25, 2011, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/454,737, which was filed on Jun. 16, 2006 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,388,779 on Jun. 17, 2008, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/065,986, which was filed on Feb. 25, 2005, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,221,592 on May 22, 2007 the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to memory devices and in particular the present invention relates to non-volatile memory devices.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and flash memory.

Flash memory devices have developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices typically use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Common uses for flash memory include personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and cellular telephones. Program code and system data such as a basic input/output system (BIOS) are typically stored in flash memory devices for use in personal computer systems.

As the performance and complexity of electronic systems increase, the requirement for additional memory also increases. However, in order to continue to reduce the costs of a system, the parts count must be kept to a minimum. This can be accomplished by increasing the memory density of an integrated circuit.

One way to increase memory density is to use multi-level cell (MLC) non-volatile memory. This method stores two or more data bits in each memory cell. One problem with MLC is that subsequent programming of additional data can cause a program disturb condition that can program bits that are not desired to be programmed. This is caused by placing a large programming voltage on a word line that is shared by cells that have already been programmed.

The above-mentioned problems with the flash memories and other problems are addressed by the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.

For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a way to program MLC non-volatile memory cells while reducing program disturb.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simplified diagram of one embodiment for a NAND flash memory array of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for multiple level, first page programming of a memory block.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for multiple level, second page programming of a memory block.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of an alternate embodiment of a method of the present invention for multiple level, first page programming of a memory block.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the alternate embodiment of a method of the present invention for multiple level, second page programming of a memory block.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of an electronic system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified diagram of one embodiment for a NAND flash memory array of the present invention. This memory is for purposes of illustration only as the present invention is not limited to NAND flash but can be used for other non-volatile memory technologies such as electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).

The memory array of FIG. 1, for purposes of clarity, does not show all of the elements typically required in a memory array. For example, only two bitlines are shown (BL1 and BL2) when the number of bitlines required actually depends upon the memory density. The bitlines are subsequently referred to as (BL1-BLN).

The array is comprised of an array of floating gate cells 101 arranged in series strings 104, 105. Each of the floating gate cells 101 are coupled drain to source in each series string 104, 105. A word line (WL0-WL31) that spans across multiple series strings 104, 105 is coupled to the control gates of every floating gate cell in a row in order to control their operation. The bitlines (BL1-BLN) are eventually coupled to sense amplifiers (not shown) that detect the state of each cell.

In operation, the word lines (WL0-WL31) select the individual floating gate memory cells in the series string 104, 105 to be written to or read from and operate the remaining floating gate memory cells in each series string 104, 105 in a pass through mode. Each series string 104, 105 of floating gate memory cells is coupled to a source line 106 by a source select gate 116, 117 and to an individual bitline (BL1-BLN) by a drain select gate 112, 113. The source select gates 116, 117 are controlled by a source select gate control line SG(S) 118 coupled to their control gates. The drain select gates 112, 113 are controlled by a drain select gate control line SG(D) 114.

Each cell can be programmed as a single bit per cell (i.e., single level cell-SBC) or MLC. Each cell's threshold voltage (V_(t)) determines the data that is stored in the cell. For example, in a single bit per cell, a V_(t) of 1V might indicate a programmed cell while a V_(t) of −1V might indicate an erased cell. The multilevel cells have more then two V_(t) windows that each indicates a different state. Multilevel cells take advantage of the analog nature of a traditional flash cell by assigning a bit pattern to a specific voltage range stored on the cell. This technology permits the storage of two or more bits per cell, depending on the quantity of voltage ranges assigned to the cell.

For example, a cell may be assigned four different voltage V_(t) distributions. The width of the distribution is ^(˜)200 mV. Typically, a separation of 0.3V to 0.5V is assigned between each VT distribution range as well. This separation zone between the V_(t) distributions is to insure that the multi V_(t) distributions do not overlap causing logic errors. During verification, if the voltage stored on the cell is sensed to be within the 01 high V_(t) distribution, then the cell is storing a 01. If the voltage is within the 00 second highest distribution, the cell is storing a 00. This continues for as many ranges that are used for the cell.

The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to two bits per cell. Some embodiments may store more than two bits per cell, depending on the quantity of different voltage ranges that can be differentiated on the cell.

During a typical programming operation, the selected word line for the flash memory cell to be programmed is applied with a train of high voltage programming pulses. These high voltage programming pulses typically start at 16 v and increment in 0.5V increments. A 10V non-incrementing, high voltage pulse is applied on the unselected WLs.

To inhibit selected cells from programming on the selected WL, the channel of the inhibited cell is decoupled from the BL by applying ^(˜)1.3 v on the BL. The channel area of these devices will rise with the WL pulse based on the coupling coefficient of the memory cell so that the differential voltage between the WL and the channel will not be sufficient to program the cell.

To program selected cells on the selected WL, the channel is grounded to 0 v through the BL. The large potential formed between the channel, and the WL will cause the cell to program and the V_(t) of the device will increase as higher programming pulses are applied.

Between every programming pulse a verification phase is performed. During verification, the selected WL is lowered to 0V, the unselected WLs are lowered to 5V, and the states of the selected cells are sensed. If the cell is programmed to have a V_(t) level such that the 0 v on the WL cannot make the device to conduct, the device is considered to be programmed. Otherwise the cell is considered to be still erased and the programming pulse height is increased by 0.5V and applied to the selected WL again. This process is repeated until all selected cells that need to be programmed are all programmed.

A typical memory block is comprised of 64 logical pages. The 64 pages are formed with 32 physical WLs. Each WL contains 2 logical pages. For example, there are 4 Kbit cells on a WL. 2 Kbit is dedicated for one page that shares the same WL with another 2 Kbit page. If every cell is used in a multi V_(t) distribution level mode then a WL will hold 4 pages of 2 Kbit per page. When one of these pages is being programmed the second page on the same WL will experience disturb condition even though it is inhibited. Therefore pages with shared WLs can experience programming disturb. The programming disturb caused on the shared WL will shift the V_(t) distribution of cells that are previously programmed in the second page that is on the same WL and make their distribution wider. For non-volatile memory devices that use two levels per cell this may not be a major problem since the separation zone between the two distributions is large enough to prevent the distributions from overlapping due to disturb. However, for multi level cell (MLC) operation where a single cell is used to represent 2 bits or 4 levels per physical single cell, the separation zone is reduced and reducing disturb becomes extremely important in order to prevent V_(t) distributions from overlapping or shifting.

Prior art, multi page programming algorithms follow a special programming sequence in order to minimize the disturb condition due to cell-to-cell floating gate coupling issues. The sequence in which the prior art V_(t) distribution is programmed is based on the cell-to-cell coupling issues. This is an important factor to consider in minimizing the cell-to-cell floating gate coupling to the V_(t) distribution. However, it is also important to consider minimizing the number of the highest voltage pulses being applied to the WL to program all pages on the same WL in order to minimize the shared WL disturb condition.

The prior art method of programming a multi-level cell, starting from the low V_(t) distribution state to the highest V_(t) distribution, may be a practical programming method but, from the programming disturb point of view, it is not an optimum method. After programming the lower V_(t) distribution, the higher voltages needed to program the higher V_(t) distributions will disturb the already programmed lower V_(t) distribution due to the higher voltage. By reversing this sequence, the disturb of the lower V_(t) distribution will be minimized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of one embodiment of a method of the present invention for multiple level, first page programming of a memory block. This diagram shows that the page begins in a known erased state 200. In this embodiment, the erased state 200 is indicated by a logical “11” since both bits of the multi-bit cell are in a “1” state when erased. The erased state may be indicated by the logical “0” state in other memory devices.

When a programming operation is performed, the embodiment of FIG. 2 starts with the programming of the highest threshold voltage distribution and programs in decreasing order of threshold voltage distribution. Statistically, this places the highest voltage on the word line prior to all the lower multi-level distributions being programmed and, therefore, minimizing the chance to cause disturb conditions with the other cells on the same word line that are planned to be programmed to lower V_(t) distributions.

As an example of operation, all of the cells in a page that have to be programmed with bits “01” are programmed first since this state 203 is the highest V_(t). The next lowest state is a logical “00” so cells with this state 202 would be programmed next. These programming operations can be accomplished with consecutive programming and verification pulses where two verification pulses with two different levels are applied (i.e., 2V for 01, and 1.3V for 00) between every increasing programming pulse.

The diagram of FIG. 2 also shows the disturb created in the erased state 200 during the programming of the first page. The disturb is shown as the movement 230 of the V_(t) state along the V_(t) axis. This movement 230 can be substantial since the largest word line voltage has just been experienced. However, usually the separation zone between the “11” and “10” states is larger than other states in order to make sure that the “11” state exposure to disturb is accounted for. “11” states will see the largest distribution shift since it is the lowest V_(t), and is exposed to the largest number of inhibit pulses.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second page of programming in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 2. This figure shows that cells that are to be programmed to the “10” state 201 are programmed last with a second page of incrementing programming voltage pulses 300. Incrementing programming pulses, and a verification pulse following each programming pulse, will program the “10” state. Statistically, since this is the 3rd lowest V_(t) distribution, the maximum applied voltage to program will not reach as high as the previous higher V_(t) distribution needed. This puts the lowest programming voltage on the word line after the first two states have already been programmed. While a slight amount of disturb 301 and 302 in the previously programmed states is going to be present, it is substantially less than that experienced with the prior art programming methods where the lower V_(t) distributions are set before setting the highest V_(t) distribution.

The bits that are mapped to the states 200-203 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are for purposes of illustration only. The present invention is not limited to having the state with the highest V_(t) being a logical “01”. For example, in an alternate embodiment, a “10” state might have the highest threshold voltage.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the method of the present invention for programming multiple level, non-volatile memory cells. In this method, incrementing programming pulses and a single level verification pulse following each programming pulse will program 400 the “01” state. Statistically, since “01” requires the highest V_(t) distribution the highest voltage on the WL will be applied before programming the lower V_(t) distributions. This embodiment similarly programs the highest threshold voltage first to reduce the amount of disturb experienced by other cells sharing a word line. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a programming pulse at the highest programming voltage is generated to program the “01” state to the appropriate cells coupled to the word line.

FIG. 5 shows the second page of programming for the embodiment of FIG. 4. This page of programming generates programming pulses to program 500, 501 the “00” and “10” states. Two verification pulses follow each programming pulse where two different levels are applied (i.e., 2V pulse for “01” and 1.3V pulse for “00”) to the WL. By programming 500, 501 the V_(t) distributions in decreasing order of their threshold voltages, the least amount of program disturb is achieved to the previously programmed states within the same page and the previously programmed pages on the same WL.

The above-described embodiments of FIGS. 2-5 are for purposes of illustration only. The programming of non-volatile memory cells by programming in decreasing order of threshold voltages can be accomplished in various ways that have not been shown.

FIG. 6 illustrates a functional block diagram of a memory device 600 that can incorporate the flash memory array and programming method embodiments of the present invention. The memory device 600 is coupled to a processor 610. The processor 610 may be a microprocessor or some other type of controlling circuitry. The memory device 600 and the processor 610 form part of an electronic system 620. The memory device 600 has been simplified to focus on features of the memory that are helpful in understanding the present invention.

The memory device includes an array of flash memory cells 630 as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The memory array 630 is arranged in banks of rows and columns. The control gates of each row of memory cells is coupled with a word line while the drain and source connections of the memory cells are coupled to bitlines. As is well known in the art, the connections of the cells to the bitlines determines whether the array is a NAND architecture or a NOR architecture.

An address buffer circuit 640 is provided to latch address signals provided on address input connections A0-Ax 642. Address signals are received and decoded by a row decoder 644 and a column decoder 646 to access the memory array 630. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, with the benefit of the present description, that the number of address input connections depends on the density and architecture of the memory array 630. That is, the number of addresses increases with both increased memory cell counts and increased bank and block counts.

The memory device 600 reads data in the memory array 630 by sensing voltage or current changes in the memory array columns using sense/buffer circuitry 650. The sense/buffer circuitry, in one embodiment, is coupled to read and latch a row of data from the memory array 630. Data input and output buffer circuitry 660 is included for bi-directional data communication over a plurality of data connections 662 with the processor 610. Write circuitry 655 is provided to write data to the memory array.

Control circuitry 670 decodes signals provided on control connections 672 from the processor 610. These signals are used to control the operations on the memory array 630, including data read, data write (program), and erase operations. The control circuitry 670 may be a state machine, a sequencer, or some other type of controller. In one embodiment, the control circuitry 670 is responsible for executing the embodiments of the programming method of the present invention.

The flash memory device illustrated in FIG. 6 has been simplified to facilitate a basic understanding of the features of the memory. A more detailed understanding of internal circuitry and functions of flash memories are known to those skilled in the art.

In summary, the embodiments of the present invention improve margins between MLC levels while maintaining programming throughput. This is accomplished by programming the higher V_(t) distribution first then the lower distributions. This reduces the number of word line programming voltages in order to minimize the program disturb of other cells on the word line.

For example, one embodiment maps the logical “11” to the erased state and the logical “01” state to have the highest threshold voltage, thus requiring the highest programming voltage. The logical “00” state is mapped to the 3 rd highest threshold voltage and the logical “10” state to the 2nd highest threshold voltage. Therefore, one embodiment of the present invention would first program a first page by programming cells on a word line with the “01,” state together with the logical “00” state. A second page, comprising the logical “10” state, can then be programmed. Since the lowest programming voltage is used last, the program disturb experienced by the first page is minimized.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. An electronic system comprising: a processor for generating control signals that are transmitted on control connections; and a memory device, coupled to the processor, for operating in response to the control signals, the memory device comprising: a memory array comprising a plurality of word lines that are each coupled to a plurality of multiple level memory cells the memory array adapted to receive data as controlled by the control signals; and a control circuit that receives control signals from the processor and is coupled to program the memory array, the control circuit configured to initially program a first page, with two highest distributions, and subsequently program a second page with lower distributions.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein the memory device is a NAND flash memory device.
 23. The system of claim 21 wherein the memory signals comprise programming and verification commands.
 24. The system of claim 21 wherein each distribution represents a programmable state for the plurality of memory cells.
 25. The system of claim 24 wherein the control circuit is configured to program memory cells on the first page in descending order of distributions that begin at the highest distribution.
 26. The system of claim 24 wherein each state is comprised of two bits.
 27. The system of claim 21 wherein each of the plurality of memory cells is programmable within four different distributions in response to at least one programming pulse.
 28. The system of claim 21 wherein the control circuit programs the first and second pages by control of generation of a series of incrementing programming pulses.
 29. The system of claim 28 wherein the control circuit is further configured to control generation of a verify pulse between each programming pulse.
 30. The system of claim 21 wherein the control circuit is further configured to program: a first set of memory cells of the plurality of memory cells of a word line, each memory cell having a plurality of programmable states wherein each state is represented by a threshold voltage distribution, a second set of memory cells of the word line, and remaining memory cells of the word line wherein the first set of memory cells are programmed to a first threshold voltage distribution, the second set of memory cells are programmed to a second threshold voltage distribution and further wherein the first threshold voltage distribution is greater than the second threshold voltage distribution and the remaining memory cells of the word line are programmed in a decreasing order of threshold voltage distributions. 